Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: Two Messengers of God
It’s incredible to think about meeting a Messenger of God, but can you imagine meeting two? The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are the only Messengers of God known to have lived at the same time in history. Bahá’u’lláh was a devoted follower of the Báb. They wrote to each other, but never met in person.
In 1844, the Báb gave Mullá Husayn, the first person to believe in Him, a special mission. The Báb asked him to travel through Persia (now Iran) and announce that the Promised One of Islam had come. He assured Mullá Husayn that he would find a “Mystery” of incredible holiness.
In Tihrán, Mullá Husayn heard about Bahá’u’lláh, Who was then a nobleman known as Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí. A student who knew Him said He was kind, loving, and a friend to the poor. Mullá Husayn asked the student to deliver a scroll of the Báb’s writings to Bahá’u’lláh.
When Bahá’u’lláh read the scroll, He immediately recognized the station of the Báb as a Messenger of God. He said, “Whoso believes in the Qur’án ... and yet hesitates ... to admit that these soul-stirring words are endowed with the same regenerating power, has most assuredly erred in his judgment ...”
To express His thanks, Bahá’u’lláh sent Mullá Husayn a package of tea and Russian sugar, which were rare in Persia at the time. Mullá Husayn kissed the gift, thrilled to hear that Bahá’u’lláh had accepted the Báb.
Soon Bahá’u’lláh traveled to His family’s home in the province of Mázindarán to share the Báb’s teachings. Attracted by Bahá’u’lláh’s purity, dignity, and eloquence, people flocked to His home. Many became Bábís. Bahá’u’lláh said, “Whosoever has inclined his ear to this Message has felt its irresistible power, and has been transformed by the potency of its grace.”
Mullá Husayn wrote to the Báb about Bahá’u’lláh and the many people who had become Bábís. This letter cheered the Báb and filled Him with hope. He felt sure that if anything should happen to Him, Bahá’u’lláh would guide His Faith.
Today, the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, honors His life and mission.
Toward the end of His life, the Báb sent His writings, pen case, seals, and rings to Bahá’u’lláh. After the Báb was martyred in 1850, Bahá’u’lláh led the Bábí community. In 1863, He declared that He was the Messenger of God promised by the Báb.
Bahá’u’lláh taught that all religions come from the same God, and that we are all part of one family. His teachings encourage us to use our virtues, such as service, justice, and equality, to help bring peace and unity to the world.
Bahá’í Faith511 Bábí Faith30 The Báb69 Iran68 Persia50 Mulla Husayn12 Faith23 Prayer66 Love88 Kindness115